Rohit Pawar Ends Hunger Strike After Govt Assures Talks on Farm Loan Waiver
Minister Girish Mahajan visited the protest site and held talks with Pawar, who had been on a hunger strike along with 26 supporters to press for farmers' demands
Mumbai: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar on Sunday night withdrew his indefinite hunger strike demanding a comprehensive farm loan waiver after Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan met him and assured him that the state government was willing to hold discussions on the issue.
Mahajan visited the protest site and held talks with Pawar, who had been on a hunger strike along with 26 supporters to press for farmers' demands, particularly a loan waiver for distressed cultivators.
During the meeting, Mahajan urged Pawar to end his fast and suggested that he meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with senior government officials, including Finance Department Secretary and MITRA CEO Praveen Pardeshi, to discuss the demands in detail.
"The government is very positive towards farmers. Had a letter been submitted seeking an appointment, the Chief Minister would have certainly given time. Before June 22, when the monsoon session begins, we will sit together and hold a detailed discussion with the Chief Minister," Mahajan said.
He also stressed that the government was sensitive to the concerns of farmers and committed to finding solutions to their problems.
Referring to previous relief measures, Mahajan said the government had implemented farm loan waiver schemes in the past and remained committed to supporting the agricultural sector.
Responding to the minister's proposal, Pawar agreed to participate in talks with the government. However, he cautioned that if the government failed to take concrete action on the demands, farmers would launch a larger agitation in the Marathwada region.
"If the government fails to act on the demands, a farmers' protest will be organised in Marathwada," Pawar said.
